Chicago-bound Air India flight received a bomb threat on Tuesday afternoon. The Delhi-Chicago AI 127 flight was diverted to Canada's Iqaluit International Airport (CYFB) due to the threat. After landing at the airport in Canada, passengers aboard the Chicago-bound flight were re-screened as per protocols.
Air India issued a statement over the incident. Authorities are investigating the incident.
Air India's Statement:
"Flight Al127 operating from Delhi to Chicago on October 15, 2024, was the subject of a security threat posted online and, as a precautionary measure, has landed at Iqaluit Airport in Canada. The aircraft and passengers are being re-screened as per the laid down security protocol," Air India said in the statement.
"Air India has activated agencies at the airport to assist the passengers until such time that their journey can resume. Air India notes that it, and other local airlines, have been subject to a number of threats in recent days. Though all have subsequently been found to be hoaxes, as a responsible airline operator all threats are taken seriously. The inconvenience to customers is sincerely regretted," the statement read.
"Air India is extending all cooperation to authorities in identifying the perpetrators of such threats to ensure that they are held accountable for the disruption and inconvenience caused to passengers, and will consider legal action against those responsible to recover damages incurred by the airline," it added.
More details are still awaited.
Notably, it is the third such incident in a day.
Bomb Threat On Air India Express Jaipur-Ayodhya flight:
Earlier in the afternoon, a threat was sent to the Air India Express Jaipur-Ayodhya flight on October 15. The flight landed as per its routine schedule. SOPs were followed at Ayodhya Airport after a bomb threat was received on social media.
No emergency landing happened. All the 130 passengers were on board the flight and all of them were evacuated safely.
“Air India Express, along with a few other operators, received a specific security threat from an unverified social media handle. In response, security protocols were promptly activated as directed by the Government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee. The flight landed safely, and the aircraft will be released for operations following all mandated security procedures,” an Air India Express spokesperson said.
Bomb Threat On Dammam-Lucknow IndiGo Flight:
Earlier in the day, IndiGo received a bomb threat on Dammam-Lucknow flight 6E-98. "We are cognisant of a situation involving flight 6E 98 from Dammam to Lucknow. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and taking all necessary precautions as per the guidelines," IndiGo said in a statement.